Adams County schedules organic waste clean up days

Adams County Public Works is moving away from a single weekend for clean up, and will now extend the cleanup efforts throughout the month of April.

This year, Adams County transfer stations will accept clean, green organic waste through a voucher system. The waste can be brought to the Ritzville or Bruce transfer stations during operating hours from April 1-29.

Yard debris will be accepted from Adams County residents only, and only non-commercial loads.

Residents can pick up a voucher, which is valid for 500 pounds of organic waste, and redeem the voucher at the transfer stations for free disposal of organic waste.

There is a limit of one voucher per trip, but residents can request additional vouchers while supplies last. Additional vouchers can be collected from the transfer station during the visit.

In addition to organic waste, household hazardous waste is collected at no cost every day the transfer stations are open for public use.

Residents traveling to the transfer stations to dispose of waste are reminded to secure the load.

Any unsecured load is valid to be charged a $10 fee.

Residents are also reminded any mixed load will be charged the solid waste rate. Only clean, green organic waste is being collected through the voucher program.

Acceptable green waste includes tree trimmings, vegetative cuttings, grasses, leaves and untreated wood waste. Similar materials generated by homeowners from lawns or nonresidential activities also available to be disposed of are clean wood and pallets.

The charges for the Adams County transfer stations outside of this event for solid waste are $70 per scaled ton, $.035 per scaled pound, $8 minimum charge and $10 for any unsecured load.

The fees for recycling are $45 for residents per ton of yard waste or cardboard, and commercial yard waste or cardboard per ton is $45 with a minimum charge of $5.

Both aluminum cans and clean scrap metals four feet lengths or less are no charge at the transfer stations. For special waste, white goods/appliances are $8 per item.

Used oil, vehicle batteries and household hazardous waste are all collected free of charge, but used oil and household hazardous wastes are accepted from residents only. Standard size tires only are also accepted with a fee of $1.50 per item, and tires other than the standard size are $180 per ton.

The Bruce Transfer Station is located at 504 South Lucy Road in Othello.

The Ritzville Transfer Station is located at 1803 East Danekas Road in Ritzville.

The Bruce Transfer Station is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Ritzville Transfer Station is open Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

From April 1-29, residents are allowed one voucher per trip, per day. Vouchers are available at Adams County Public Works office, transfer stations, or town offices in Hatton, Othello, Ritzville or Washtucna.

For more information regarding the organic waste clean up days, call Public Works at 659-3276.